GatherMakeRepeat

Quilt for Japan Update

I can't believe I haven't blogged since the end of March. Wow. Blog Fail! April was a busy month for us and I owe every single person who came in and shopped, took a class, told a friend, liked us on Facebook, followed me on Twitter, and joined us for our various events a HUGE thank you. I knew I was aching for a place like gather here and I thought perhaps there may be a few others who were looking for that place, too, but I had no idea there were so many of us around Cambridge. And I'm pleased as punch to have met you all and look forward to meeting more of you crafty geniuses!

Now to the meat (tofu) and potatoes of this blog post. We finished the quilt AND shipped it! Hooray gather here quilting bee! There were a few Sundays with over a half dozen folks cutting and piecing throughout April and I was overjoyed. The last week of April many of gather here*s staff helped hand tie the quilt using Louet's Kidlin! I just love that each day another person put his/her hands and hearts into this quilt. Thank you all so very very much.

I'd like to give a special shout out to Alexis, Ingrid, and Amy because they showed up that very first Sunday we hosted the Quilting Bee for Japan. They not only donated fabric but also their time and design expertise. They helped delegate when the quilting bee grew; teaching others with little quilting experience how to cut and piece. And then Tracy joined us the second week and donated beautiful kimono fabrics which we incorporated into our quilt back. I heart you ladies.

The lovely photos were taken by Lisa Abitbol, a crafty genius in her own right but also an amazing photographer who has helped capture the world of gather here far better than I ever could. Most of the photos you now see on our website were taken by Lisa and every time she sends me an album I think, "that's not my shop! no way! really????" Thank you so much, Lisa!

The gather here quilting bee was such a success that we're continuing it. Please join us on the first and third Sunday of the month from 4-6 p.m., this week we'll be focusing our efforts on a quilt for Bama Bound Quilts.
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For my dear friend in Japan

Patchwork Basics - potholder. March 23 @ 6pm

There are so many things we have no control over despite all our attempts. Earthquakes and tsunamis being in the top ten uncontrollables. And then exploding nuclear plants releasing radiation. These disasters have weighed heavy on my heart and I have been struggling to make sense of the world. 500,000 people have been displaced – that’s twice as many as were affected by Hurricane Katrina, and twice as many as were affected in the Kobe earthquake 15 years ago. I'm grateful to be safe in Cambridge sewing a patchwork pot holder. <PREVIEWEND>

One of my oldest and dearest friends lives and works in Tokyo. Kazuko and I were roommates while in graduate school, both pursuing our MFA's in Costume Design and Construction. She was by far the better draper and tailor. She also rendered fabric with an ease that I would not achieve until my third year in school. She worked for a number of years in the States after we graduated at a number of wonderful theatres. Unfortunately, Kazuko would later return to Japan to help care for an ailing family member and not follow the path of a costume designer.

The morning of the earthquake I first checked Facebook to see if she was posting. She's very on top of the social media and I knew if she could she would let us know her status. I was relieved to find her updating frequently about her location, her colleagues, and her attempts to get home to her family. Twelve hours later she would finally make it home to find her mother, sister and nephew safe. They were fortunate enough to have power and food.

She is still posting about the aftershocks. She recently posted that she wishes the government would be clear about what can be done with the nuclear plants. There seems to be no clear message about their danger or any clear solution. There are rolling blackouts. But the explosions and evacuations are making her nervous. I can't even imagine what this must be like. The biggest natural disaster I have ever experienced was a tornado and it missed us by a couple miles.

I am lucky that my friends and colleagues in Japan all are accounted for. Safe and sound. I know that many are not. And I know that it isn't over yet. That there are many unknowns, rescue efforts continue and volunteers are attempting to repair the nuclear plant with radiation levels rising. It's difficult to focus on making pot holders when my thoughts are with the people of Japan.

Gather Here is a very small business but we know we can make a difference. When you buy any of the Japanese fabrics in our shop, we'll donate 25% of your purchase to the Red Cross. If you love Echino, Kokka, Heather Ross's Far Far Away, Kiyohara, and so much more, please stock up now. We've grouped our Japanese fabrics right under the window. If you've been meaning to drop in and visit the store, there couldn't be a better time. And if you are like me and need to make something to help bring some order to the chaos of events, why not make it using Japanese linen/cotton blends?

Thank you to those of you that purchased fabric this past weekend, we were able to donate $100 but we hope to donate so much more. And we can't do it without you. This sale will be going on until the end of March. May things settle down by then...

Peace be with you and yours,
Virginia (owner/crafter/dreamer)

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Quilt for Japan Update

For my dear friend in Japan

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